Solair Wright
08-31-2007, 06:17 AM
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/columnists/sfl-flsphyde31nbaug31,0,7781986.column
Dave Hyde | Sports Columnist
August 31, 2007
Bud Selig could solve the Marlins' stadium problem today in the time it takes to microwave popcorn. It wouldn't mean raising another dime. It wouldn't involve fighting another politician.
It's so simple a sports writer could think it through.
"How's it work?" the Major League Baseball commissioner asked.
Have the approximate $30 million a year the Marlins receive in revenue sharing put toward a stadium fund.
Quit putting it all in Marlins coffers. Use the money that rich-team owners keep providing to answer everyone's long-term Marlins problem.
This wouldn't just be a bold, public gesture to help swing an issue that, once again, might be ready to be swung. It also would assure the other owners that Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria would be off welfare some year soon.
Easy, smart, painless, right?
"No, Major League Baseball is not going to do that," Selig said.
Too easy, too smart, too painless?
"It really comes down to every community's desire and ability to make its own decisions on how to spend its money," Selig said. "Revenue sharing money is to be used for the competitive balance. Every owner understands how important that money is toward that end."
But the Marlins make a tidy profit already. They get about $30 million in revenue sharing, $18 million in national TV and $12 million in local TV. That's $60 million before selling a ticket, getting a cut of merchandising or the Nationals' expansion kitty. And their payroll is $32 million. After being under $20 million last year.
Surely every spare dollar isn't going to player development.
"Oh, you'd be surprised how expensive the minors and player development are," Selig said. "Branch Rickey, the greatest general manager, said it takes three to five years to evaluate talent."
This would be a perfect place to shift into a Bud-bashing or cheapskate-Marlins column. But that gets old and tiring and, besides, the only time there's any volume in the South Florida baseball market is rip those at the top.
As if the no-show fans aren't a bigger problem. As if Loria didn't spend money in 2003, 2004 and 2005 when he had shots at winning. As if he isn't facing the same problem previous owners John Henry and H. Wayne Huizenga did. And as if he's not putting some money toward a stadium, too — $45 million upfront as well as rent.
But imagine if baseball had the foresight to use revenue sharing as a financial and public-relations weapon when it came into existence in 2002.
"The owners get a look at how teams are using the revenue sharing money and they are very happy with how it's being spent," Selig said.
So they'd be happy putting $30 million a year, ad infinitum, toward the Marlins?
"Hopefully, we'll get a stadium soon," he said.
Wouldn't a gesture of $30-million-a-year in upfront dollars for, say, the next four years go a long way toward that? Or $20 million for five years? Something big and bold?
"That's not what revenue sharing is for," he said.
Selig has watched 23 stadiums be approved in his era as commissioner and none have been helped by baseball. He'd be opening a portal he doesn't want opened. He'd be telling every future community they'd have this chance and make those who that did without wonder why.
So, instead, he tells the rich owners to keep shoveling dollars at the Marlins. And the Marlins, no dummies, keep taking it.
"I'm optimistic it will get it done," Selig said.
Thing is, it could be done already.
-----------------------
Will they finally build a retractable-roof stadium in Florida? I still have hope they will build a baseball stadium similar to Miller Park, Minute Maid Park and Chase Field. I think it's about time for fans in the vicinity of the city of Miami.
Dave Hyde | Sports Columnist
August 31, 2007
Bud Selig could solve the Marlins' stadium problem today in the time it takes to microwave popcorn. It wouldn't mean raising another dime. It wouldn't involve fighting another politician.
It's so simple a sports writer could think it through.
"How's it work?" the Major League Baseball commissioner asked.
Have the approximate $30 million a year the Marlins receive in revenue sharing put toward a stadium fund.
Quit putting it all in Marlins coffers. Use the money that rich-team owners keep providing to answer everyone's long-term Marlins problem.
This wouldn't just be a bold, public gesture to help swing an issue that, once again, might be ready to be swung. It also would assure the other owners that Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria would be off welfare some year soon.
Easy, smart, painless, right?
"No, Major League Baseball is not going to do that," Selig said.
Too easy, too smart, too painless?
"It really comes down to every community's desire and ability to make its own decisions on how to spend its money," Selig said. "Revenue sharing money is to be used for the competitive balance. Every owner understands how important that money is toward that end."
But the Marlins make a tidy profit already. They get about $30 million in revenue sharing, $18 million in national TV and $12 million in local TV. That's $60 million before selling a ticket, getting a cut of merchandising or the Nationals' expansion kitty. And their payroll is $32 million. After being under $20 million last year.
Surely every spare dollar isn't going to player development.
"Oh, you'd be surprised how expensive the minors and player development are," Selig said. "Branch Rickey, the greatest general manager, said it takes three to five years to evaluate talent."
This would be a perfect place to shift into a Bud-bashing or cheapskate-Marlins column. But that gets old and tiring and, besides, the only time there's any volume in the South Florida baseball market is rip those at the top.
As if the no-show fans aren't a bigger problem. As if Loria didn't spend money in 2003, 2004 and 2005 when he had shots at winning. As if he isn't facing the same problem previous owners John Henry and H. Wayne Huizenga did. And as if he's not putting some money toward a stadium, too — $45 million upfront as well as rent.
But imagine if baseball had the foresight to use revenue sharing as a financial and public-relations weapon when it came into existence in 2002.
"The owners get a look at how teams are using the revenue sharing money and they are very happy with how it's being spent," Selig said.
So they'd be happy putting $30 million a year, ad infinitum, toward the Marlins?
"Hopefully, we'll get a stadium soon," he said.
Wouldn't a gesture of $30-million-a-year in upfront dollars for, say, the next four years go a long way toward that? Or $20 million for five years? Something big and bold?
"That's not what revenue sharing is for," he said.
Selig has watched 23 stadiums be approved in his era as commissioner and none have been helped by baseball. He'd be opening a portal he doesn't want opened. He'd be telling every future community they'd have this chance and make those who that did without wonder why.
So, instead, he tells the rich owners to keep shoveling dollars at the Marlins. And the Marlins, no dummies, keep taking it.
"I'm optimistic it will get it done," Selig said.
Thing is, it could be done already.
-----------------------
Will they finally build a retractable-roof stadium in Florida? I still have hope they will build a baseball stadium similar to Miller Park, Minute Maid Park and Chase Field. I think it's about time for fans in the vicinity of the city of Miami.